Sault Ste. Marie
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
March 13, 2013
MINUTES
Present: Dewey Baldwin Wayne Barry
Raymond Bell James Parr
Gerda Frimberger
William Karr
Carl Stutzner
Spencer Nebel
Absent: Ray Bauer, Tammy Cook, Sonja Norris and Kathleen Twardy.
1) CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 8:05 a.m.
2) ROLL CALL: Attendance was taken as noted.
It was moved by Spencer Nebel, supported by Will Karr, to excuse the absence of Sonja Norris, Kathleen Twardy and Tammy Cook. The motion carried.
3) CONSENT AGENDA:
· Approval of Minutes: February 13, 2013 meeting.
Moved by Will Karr, supported by Raymond Bell to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried.
4) SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS:
A. Blount Small Ship Adventures Trolley Rental – Update – Director Knepper spoke with a representative of Blount Small Ship Adventures regarding the DDA Board’s decision not to enter into a contract with Blount this summer and that the DDA would provide free trolley services for passengers to visit the downtown area. Blount indicated that their ship typically carries 60-70 passengers, and they budget approximately 20 people will purchase the package that includes the guided tour, ticket to the Valley Camp and the trolley at $35.00 per person. Blount further indicated that they would not be renewing their contract with the tour guide service and would not be offering the package as they had in the past to their passengers.
B. FY 2013/14 DDA Budget – Recommendation: Approve draft of fiscal year 2013/14 budget as prepared by Director Justin Knepper and submit to City Commission – Director Knepper went through his recommended budget. He indicated that there are no major changes from the proposed budget draft that the Board gave preliminary approval at the February 13, 2013 DDA meeting.
Moved by Spencer Nebel, supported by William Karr that the DDA submit to the City Commission the proposed draft of the 2013-2014 fiscal year budget prepared by Director Justin Knepper. Motion carried.
C. Sign Grant Application from Harmony Health Foods – Recommendation: Reimburse $500 to harmony Health Foods for purchase and installation of new awning costing a total of $2,528.10 – Harmony Health Foods is planning to install a canvas awning in front of their store in April and are hoping to use the sidewalk and exterior for produce and other food products. Harmony Health Foods has been working with the City Building and Engineering Department to meet all City code requirements and will also have to meet DDA guidelines for the sign grant reimbursement of $500.
Moved by Carl Stutzner, supported by Raymond Bell to reimburse $500 to Harmony Health Foods for purchase and installation of new awning costing a total of $2,528.10. Motion carried.
D. Downtown Food Truck/Peddler Policy – Recommendation: Establish the following policy:
1. Food trucks/peddlers must purchase City peddler’s Permit, as well as a once-annual fee of $50 to operate in the DDA District.
2. Food trucks/peddlers may operate with “food truck/peddler friendly” zones in the DDA District (zones to be determined).
3. Food trucks/peddlers may also operate on any private property with which they have an agreement.
After discussion the Board agreed that food trucks should be restricted to private properties downtown and specific events. Director Knepper was asked to provide a more detailed report and policy on this issue at the next DDA meeting.
5) UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
A. TIF 2/DDA/PSD Expansion to West Portage – Director Knepper indicated that he will be meeting with West Portage property owners in the next couple of weeks and will provide a report to the Board at the next DDA meeting.
B. Downtown Income Survey Project – The income survey is underway; as of last week 1-2 college students have been knocking on doors.
C. Downtown Update grant information session – On February 27th State housing representatives (rental rehabilitation, façade and sign grants) met with approximately 45 property owners at the Bayliss Library to discuss various grants/monies available to downtown property owners. Director Knepper indicated that several property owners were specifically interested in basic sign grants.
D. Billboard ad review – Director Knepper provided several drawings for the billboard located north of the I-500 Track. Vital Signs designed two of the drawings however the Board did not approve any of them. Director Knepper agreed to provide additional drawings at the next meeting.
E. Winter snow removal; review of bid from Skinner’s in Pickford for Kubota tractor costing $22,717.43 – Director Knepper recommended that the DDA explore the purchase of a snow blower for downtown sidewalks in place of contracting out sidewalk snow removal. The snow blower would be operated by DDA personnel including a DDA intern and/or possibly a seasonal worker. Downtown property owners will be assessed as to whether they are willing to pay a monthly fee for snow removal and Director Knepper will provide a maintenance policy for snow removal at the next DDA meeting.
F. Update on business recruitment efforts – Director Knepper indicated there are 3 or 4 businesses that are interested in the downtown area however many of the vacancies downtown are in bad shape. The owner of Park Place City Center has lowered the rent for his vacant retail space. Also, PNC Bank is scheduled to close on May 1st.
6) COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. Next Parking Advisory Board Meeting: March 14, 2013.
1. Property owners on south Ashmun near Ann Street will be meeting at noon on March 14, 2013 to discuss parking issues.
B. Next Beautification Committee meeting: March 20, 2013 –
1. Beautification Committee will be reviewing light bulb replacement for trees, as well as preparing for spring flower bids.
The Beautification Committee is preparing for spring flower bids for hanging baskets, pocket parks, etc. in the DDA District and trees will be pruned and dead trees removed. The Board also discussed new lighting in trees.
C. Next Events Committee meeting: March ?
1. Report: Outhouse race results – The outhouse race was held on Saturday, February 23rd on West Portage Avenue. Five teams competed and approximately 400 people were in attendance for the race.
2. Plan to schedule Event’s Committee recruitment meeting in late March.
D. Next Business Recruitment Committee meeting.
1. First meeting date set for Friday, March 15, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.
7) NEW BUSINESS:
A. Discussion on moving the DDA office – The Board discussed the pros and cons of moving the DDA office to City Hall or renovating (paint, carpet, counter) the current DDA office on Arlington Street. Director Knepper will be contacting the owners of the building on Arlington to discuss costs of renovating the existing DDA office space.
8) MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE BOARD:
There were no matters presented by the Board.
9) MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC:
A. Bicycle rack presentation – Wayne Barry – Mr. Barry gave a report on the status of the bike racks that are being made by Sault Area High School welding class students. Six bike racks will be available for downtown properties; 2 large bike racks and 4 small bike rakes. Mr. Barry asked the DDA Board what color they would prefer and where they should be located. After discussion it was determined to paint the bike racks teal to match the teal lampposts in the downtown area. And, to locate a large bike rack in front of City Hall, with the remainder of the bike racks to be located at each kiosk in the downtown area, and one in the south block of Ashmun Street as well. Director Knepper indicated that he would provide pictures and cost of the bike racks in the next DDA Newsletter ($125 for small bike rack and $250 for the large bike rack) for private property owners to purchase.
Moved by Dewey Baldwin, supported by William Karr to locate one large bike rack in the front of City Hall, one bike rack in the south block of Ashmun Street and the remainder of the bike racks at kiosks in the downtown area. Also moved was that the bike racks be painted teal to match the lampposts in the downtown area. The motion carried.
B. Discussion on tour guide services – Jim Couling – Mr. Couling explained that he and his wife provide a unique guide service of Sault Ste. Marie and St. Ignace and are ambassadors for both of these communities as well. For the last three years Mr. and Mrs. Couling have been providing historic guided tours of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan under contract with Blount Small Ship Adventures. Blount’s ship moors at the City’s Carbide Dock several times during the summer season and offered a package to their passengers that included the Couling’s guided tour, tour of the Valley Camp and trolley at a cost of approximately $35.00 per person; very few ship passengers purchased the package.
At the February DDA meeting the Board decided not to enter into a contract with Blount but provide the trolley for passengers to visit and shop downtown Sault Ste. Marie at no cost to the passengers.
Mr. Couling indicated that Blount contacted him and indicated that his guide service was no longer needed in Sault Ste. Marie. After discussion, it was suggested that Director Knepper, City Manager Spencer Nebel and Mr. Couling schedule a conference call with Blount to come to an amicable agreement regarding offering two separate events; a guided tour on the trolley at a cost to Blount’s passengers, as well as a free trolley ride for passengers to visit and shop downtown.
10) ADJOURN:
Since there were no other issues, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:15 a.m. upon motion of Spencer Nebel and support of Carl Stutzner. The motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
DEWEY BALDWIN, Chair
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